Langsning lull after Rangdajied storm

BANGALORE, APRIL 28: Langsning FC finished fourth in the 2^nd division I-League with 13 points after they were held by bottom-placed Southern Samity of Kolkata in their last match at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Langsning’s city rival Rangdajied, of course, topped the table with 19 points followed by Mohammedan Sporting Club with 18 points and Bhawanipore with 17 points. Rangdajied and Mohammedan have qualified for next season’s I-league.

In a match of little significance, Langsning conceded the first goal in the 12^th minute of the game when David Kc Ngahite scored the goal. However, Langsning skipper Daniel Bidemi Ayeni equalized it in the 38^th minute.

Langsning took the lead in the 56^th minute when Yinka Joel Sunday Ayeni scored the goal. But their dream of completing the competition with 15 points lay shattered in the 73^rd minute when Samity substitute Francis O Oniyema placed the ball into the net, making it 2-2.

During the prize distribution ceremony which took place before the Samity and Langsning tie, All India Football Federation (AIFF) general secretary Kushal Das said: “I congratulate Rangdajied United FC and Mohammedan Sporting for qualifying for next year’s I-League. Both the clubs played some excellent football and deserve to be in the elite league.”

Das also thanked the Karnataka State Football Association for organising the final phase with great efficiency. “Bangalore was a great host for the final phase of the 2nd Division League. The facilities have been very good, and the teams had no complaints,” he said.

I-League CEO Sunando Dhar echoed the general secretary in hailing the qualifying teams. “I welcome both Rangdajied United FC and Mohammedan Sporting to the I-League. The 2nd Division League has been very competitive from the outset and the best two teams have qualified,” he said. I-League chairman A R Khaleel, too, lauded both the teams and welcomed them to I-League.

Sporting coach Sanjoy Sen was effusive in his praise of the AIFFs initiative for giving trophies to the winners and runners-up. The last time Mohammedan qualified for the I-league in 2007-08), trophies were not awarded. “I really appreciate this initiative of the AIFF. This is a real morale booster,” he said.

An emotiona Rangdajied secretary Karsing Kurbah said that he was living a dream. “We have worked so hard for this day. When the players lifted the trophy, it give me unparallel joy. We are eager to start our maiden campaign in the I-League. I thank the AIFF for everything,” he said. (By Suraj Joshi)